Verizon Wireless Marks New Store Opening in Staten Island, New York with Scholarship to Seamen's Society for Children and Families

STATEN ISLAND, NY — Verizon Wireless presented a $1,000 scholarship to the Seamen's Society for Children and Families at a ribbon-cutting ceremony recently to celebrate the opening of its new store at 2502 Hylan Boulevard. Gerry McCaffery, Seamen's Society president and CEO, accepted the check from Andrew Doren, manager of the new store. Staten Island Chamber of Commerce President Linda Baran also was on hand for the ribbon-cutting.

The scholarship was made possible through the company's HopeLine® phone recycling program which collects no longer used wireless phones to be recycled, refurbished or sold. Proceeds are donated to domestic violence advocacy groups or used to purchase phones or airtime for victims. The Seamen's Society will present the Verizon Wireless HopeLine Scholarship at the group's annual dinner in July to a student whose life has been touched by domestic violence.

"Verizon Wireless' support of our scholarship program will help an individual who otherwise might not be able to meet the huge financial demands of a college education," said McCaffery. "Our mission at Seamen's Society is to provide services for children in need. Providing the opportunity to help further their education is one of the greatest tools we can provide."

Verizon Wireless created its HopeLine program 10 years ago to put wireless products and services to work to help victims of domestic violence enhance their safety. In addition to a successful phone recycling program, HopeLine includes funding for non-profit domestic violence advocacy organizations; wireless phones, service and voice mailboxes for victims; community and corporate awareness initiatives and a bilingual "Invest in Yourself" program designed to help survivors re-enter the workforce. For additional information, visit the HopeLine Web site at www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.

All Verizon Wireless Communications Stores nationwide participate in the HopeLine program, including the new store at 2502 Hylan Boulevard, one of three on Staten Island. The other stores are located in the Staten Island Mall and at 2791 Richmond Avenue.

About Verizon WirelessVerizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 45.5 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To receive broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.